Revered for its handcrafted and highly collectible mid-century modern sofas, coffee tables and other furnishings, Dunbar Furniture was founded in 1910 in Berne, Indiana, but it didn’t gain widespread recognition until the ’30s, following the introduction of its president to a designer who would leave an indelible mark on the company’s legacy: Edward Wormley.
After a stint at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Oswego, Illinois-born Wormley worked as an interior designer for Marshall Field’s before joining Dunbar in 1931. Initially focused on developing the company’s cheapest furniture line, which could be bought with soap coupons, he was soon leading Dunbar Furniture into a new era of residential furniture for modern American homes. He would serve as the company’s design director for over three decades, designing about 150 pieces each year.
During that time, he oversaw the production of designs in a wide range of materials, with influences ranging from Scandinavian modernism to Art Deco. There were modern upholstery pieces, like swiveling lounge chairs and low-slung sofas, and experiments with textural wood on bar carts and cabinets as well as minimal, sculptural tables and functional office furniture. A passionate collector of Tiffany Studios lamps, Wormley used their glass tiles in Dunbar tables in 1956. He also worked on the reproduction of pieces by designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Richard Riemerschmid.
One standout Dunbar Furniture collection was Janus, introduced in the 1960s, with Austrian-born ceramicists Otto and Gertrud Natzler. These pieces see the Natzlers’ uniquely artful ceramic tiles set into several styles of wooden tables. They remain some of the most sought-after mid-century modern Dunbar pieces on the vintage market today. During the peak of his design career and, indeed, the height of Dunbar Furniture’s history, Wormley amassed a whopping 30 Good Design awards between 1950 and 1955 through the “Good Design” exhibition, hosted by the Chicago Merchandise Mart and the Museum of Modern Art. Dunbar today produces a limited selection of archival Wormley designs, but many sales of original Dunbar pieces are through the resale market.
Find a collection of authentic vintage Dunbar Furniture today on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley Dunbar End Side Table with Gertrud and Otto Natzler Ceramic Tiles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Gertrud and Otto Natzler
Located in Studio City, CA
This very rare and absolutely stunning Edward Wormley designed end/ occasional table for Dunbar Furniture for their "Janus" collection, circa 1956-1957 comes with inlaid, glazed tile...
Ceramic, Wood
$10Sale Price / item|33% Off
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 1.19 in
Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Contemporary Mexican Ceramic Blue White Mosaic
By Cesar
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This contemporary azulejo tile forms a mosaic perfect for kitchen decorations or any exterior space. Made with the Talavera technique. Artist, Cesar Torres portraits the colonial art of Mexico, but this time with a contemporary touch. This wall decoration can be arranged to fit specific spaces or simply hanged as a painting on the wall. The Talavera is not just a simple painted ceramic: its exquisite decoration is the product of a delicate process of alchemy that translates into fine enamels. In Puebla, Mexico few people still produce using Talavera with the ancestral techniques. One of those few is Cesar Torres, Don Cesar learned his art in the workshop of the Uriarte family, an excellent workshop where his grandfather worked. In his creations he uses the black and white mud that is obtained from the nearby hills of Loreto and Guadalupe, and colors of mineral origin that he creates in his workshop with recipes from his grandfather. All the pieces are modeled in a traditional way and go through a production process that usually takes from one to two months, between drying, burning, and painting. Being surrounded by a living tradition, Cesar Torres Jr., learned from his father since childhood. Architect by profession, Cesar Jr. has come to revolutionize and modernize with new designs and ideas of the current world, nevertheless always respecting the tradition of the processes and materials that make Talavera a Creole art...
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
$79Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 7 in Dm 5 in
Moroccan Ceramic Urn with Lid, Blue and Copper, Bohemian Style, 1999
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan ceramic urn with lid, blue with copper color. Modern form with clean lines, textured design. Great to use in the kitchen or in the bath...
Ceramic
Roger Capron, Tile Set, Fresco., Vallauris, circa 1960
By Vallauris, Roger Capron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
"Roger Capron" tile set, Vallauris. Measures: 30x60 fresco. 8 Tiles of 15x15cm. In a perfect state. Beautiful thickness almost 1 cm.
Ceramic
$12Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 1.19 in
Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexican Ceramic Burnt Orange Ivory Mosaic
By Cesar
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This contemporary Talavera azulejo tile creates a striking geometric mosaic that can be used as a kitchen backsplash, architectural wall surface, or decorative wall installation. Whe...
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
Modernist Large Mosaic Tile Top Cocktail Table by David Holleman
By David Holleman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist large mosaic tile top cocktail table by David Holleman, stunning mosaics,,colors ,,composition.. Classic mid century modern design,, ...
Ceramic, Wood
Antique Glass Bell with Ceramic Birds
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful German ceramic birds set up under an antique glass dome.
Ceramic, Glass
Large Mid 20th Century Gertrud and Otto Natzler Signed Gunmetal Bowl
By Gertrud and Otto Natzler
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Stunning large (11" x 5.5") gunmetal bowl by Gertrud and Otto Natzler circa 1960 This piece is wheel-thrown glazed earthenware. It is signed on the bottom.
Pottery
$319Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 5.12 in W 3.55 in D 0.79 in
Elegant Set of Tiles with Mysterious Winged Creature Relief
Located in Leuven , BE
Made of earthenware, this set of tiles (5) depicts a beautiful but mysterious winged creature. Chimera, like and placed on a pedestal, this creature sh...
Earthenware, Terracotta
Flapjack Handmade Ceramic 3D Tile by MAKHNO
By MAKHNO PRODUCT
Located in Jõe tn 2-2 korrus, Tallinn
The FLAPJACK tile from MAKHNO Product is a truly innovative and versatile piece of design that offers both functionality and beauty. This multifunctional wall tile is a true master...
Ceramic
Jerilyn Babroff Whimsical 2 Part Glazed Ceramic Figural Side Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A glazed ceramic art vessel in two parts. Decorated as a female head, the pedestal has eyes, cheek dimples and lips all glazed while the pedestal has moulded undulating polka dot dec...
Ceramic
$18 / item
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 1.19 in
Talavera Mural Azulejo Tile Folk Mexico Ceramic Green Wall Mosaic Pyramid Relief
By Cesar
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This contemporary Talavera azulejo tile creates a striking geometric mosaic that can be used as a kitchen backsplash, architectural wall surface, or decorative wall installation. Whe...
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
$450 / set
H 6 in W 6 in D 0.25 in
Talavera Handcrafted Spanish Wall Tiles Set of Eight, Ceramic, 1950
By Talavera de la Reyna
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Spanish Talavera ceramic hand painted tiles, handcrafted and kiln fired set of eight tiles. Hand made Spanish Talavera wall tiles. Size each: 6" x6" Materials: Talavera, ceramic, clay hand-painted, clay, Spanish Mexican...
Ceramic, Clay